Channel Crossing Travel

When it comes to travelling to France , ferries win hands-downs every time in our family. I've lost count of the number of crossings we've made, each one a mini adventure in its own right. One of the beauties of France as a holiday destination is that it offers great variety and choice, each region easily accessible by car, train, coach, motorbike, bicycle even.

While the growth of low-cost airlines has undoubtedly opened up new destinations, the reality of flying is starting to bite and statistics show travellers are reverting to the self-drive option, via ferry or Eurotunnel, as the most convenient mode of transport to the continent.

The reasons for this are many and varied, not least the recent spate of publicity highlighting the environmental damage done by aircraft.

If you're trying to weigh up the pros and cons of taking the boat or train to France, as opposed to flying, it might be worth your while taking a few minutes to consider the following.

Cost: the price of a flight to your chosen destination may look too good to be true, but before you are seduced by the figures it pays to do your sums. If flying, you must take into account the cost of getting to the airport, car-park charges which can run into hundreds of pounds and hiring a vehicle for the duration of your stay abroad. Ferries/Eurotunnel offer competitive alternatives when the true costs of flying are taken into account.

Time: while no-one would argue with the fact that the flight time itself is minimal, you must factor in how long it takes you to get from your front door to the airport, all that hanging around and queuing as you wait for your flight and the time it takes to reclaim your baggage and collect your hire car at the other end, not to mention driving to your holiday destination. The duration of the ferry/self-drive journey may be longer, but you are in control of the process and can take your breaks when it suits you.

Comfort: why spend days leading up to your holiday dreading the flight? Whether you suffer from vertigo, claustrophobia or simply fear the migraine that will result from being sandwiched between the bickering members of that family from hell, the solution is straightforward' don't put yourself through it! Instead, enjoy the luxury of travelling under your own steam. Our forbears made an art out of enjoying the journey every bit as much as arriving at the destination and modern Cross-Channel ferry operators , work hard to help us rediscover this simple pleasure.

Convenience: There's nothing like travelling with your home on your back' just ask any self-respecting snail! While I'm not suggesting you try and take the kitchen sink on holiday, at least you'll be able to indulge in a little luxury, packing your favourite duvet and pillows, if you so desire, to ensure a good night's sleep. There's no end to the paraphernalia which can be shoe-horned into the average family car and I've become expert over the years at cramming ours to the gunnels, leaving just enough room to squeeze in the kids and the booty we bring back from our summer break. I find this infinitely preferable to mastering the mysteries of a left-hand drive hire car.

Once you've decided to take your own car to France, it's a question of finding out which Channel crossing best suits your needs. This can be confusing when there is so much choice. So why not save yourself a headache by taking advantage of the expertise on offer at Chez Nous ,? Their Travel Team has 25 years' experience of planning and booking travel to France and will be happy to discuss the options available to you and make the necessary arrangements.

With their help you can save time and money, accessing very competitive prices for Channel crossings and any overnight accommodation you might wish to book en route to your holiday destination. Car hire and travel insurance can be arranged at the same time, again allowing you to benefit from exclusive offers available through Chez Nous.

It couldn't be easier! Simply select the property you require from their directory or website, book it with the owner, then call with the property booking number and your holiday dates to hand.